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Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove for the Switch - First Impressions

Recently, Yacht Club Games provided Cheerful Ghost with a download key for Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove for the Switch. Given that I just got the Switch and have yet to try a 2D platformer on the platform, I decided to download the game and fire it up.

Before I dive into my first impressions of the game, let's talk about what Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on the Switch comes with. The Switch version includes the following:

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Co-op mode

Four player battle mode

Amiibo support

There is a lot of game here and the co-op mode really interests me. Since the Switch has two... Read All Recently, Yacht Club Games provided Cheerful Ghost with a download key for Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove for the Switch. Given that I just got the Switch and have yet to try a 2D platformer on the platform, I decided to download the game and fire it up.

Before I dive into my first impressions of the game, let's talk about what Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on the Switch comes with. The Switch version includes the following:

Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

Shovel Knight: Plague of Shadows

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Co-op mode

Four player battle mode

Amiibo support

There is a lot of game here and the co-op mode really interests me. Since the Switch has two controllers built in, getting a co-op game going seems like a perfect use of the system in tabletop mode, or even on the TV.

Now on to my first impressions...

My only exposure to Shovel Knight has been on my 3DS. I have enjoyed it a lot on that platform, so when I had a chance to give it a try on the Switch, I was game. This game really pops on the Switch. Shovel Knight on the Switch's screen is gorgeous. I went back and compared it to my 3DS version, and found that my 3DS gave me a headache (both in 3D and 2D mode). This has nothing to do with Shovel Knight, but rather the difference in the platforms. The Switch's display is night and day better than the 3DS, and Shovel Knight shines on it.

The controls are solid on the Switch. You can use the thumb stick or the "D-pad" (actually D-buttons) to move Shovel Knight. Given that I prefer to play 2D platformers with a D-pad, this is the method of control that I decided to use. Playing with the D-buttons is taking some time to get the hang of, but I feel I will get there. Again, this is not a Shovel Knight problem, but rather a Switch design choice.

Next up, I docked the Switch and played Shovel Knight with the Switch Pro Controller on my 47" TV. It looks just as great on the TV as it does on the Switch screen. Moving back to a traditional d-pad was also a bonus (at least until I get used to the D-buttons on the joy-con). The game seemed to preform perfectly on the big screen. I am not sure if there is any resolution change here, but if there is, it did not seem to impact performance.

If I already had Treasure Trove, or all three of the versions of Shovel Knight mentioned above, I would probably have skipped this version, unless I was a die hard Shovel Knight fan, then this is probably a must have for the Switch. Given that I only have Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope on the 3DS, this is a great value and I would have picked it up.

Overall, I think this will be my go to version of Shovel Knight over my 3DS version. The screen just makes the difference to me.

You can find Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove on the Switch eShop for $24.99.

Cygnus Destroyer Looks Back At The Wii U

"The Nintendo Switch is currently flying off store shelves across the globe, but the Switch wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the Wii U. Released in November 2012, the commercially failed successor to the massively popular Wii may have produced less than 200 games during its brief run, but there was a lot of gold to be found among that paltry library. Join me on a journey to pay tribute to the severely underrated black sheep of the eighth console generation!"

If I was pressed to buy a console from the PS4, XBox One and Wii U generation I would have picked up the Wii U. As a PC gamer I feel the games we get fill in the gaps that console exclusives often leave open except... Read All

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:11pm

Mario Kart was the most played game on my Wii U. My problem with the Wii U was the second screen did not live up to expectations. If I wanted to play my game just on the controller screen, I had to be in the same room as the Wii U. As soon as I left the room, the connection would be dropped.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:26pm

The Wii U was the Switch prototype and it seems the Switch does the mobile thing way better.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:28pm

^ I just ran into this same problem. I was playing Zelda and wanted to move the bathroom, but couldn't. Poor me had to switch to a game on my phone! #ItsAHardKnockLife

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:36pm

Yeah, it feels like the Switch is what the Wii U should have been.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:38pm

Adam: your solution is in your sentence. "Poor me had to SWITCH to a game on my phone!" Switch is where it's at.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:42pm

LOL, seriously. I just don't want to buy a new system yet. Also, Zelda looks AMAZING on the Wii U still :)

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/07/2017 at 05:47pm

You just can't play it on the toilet.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/07/2017 at 06:00pm

Eventually I'll move it in there ;)

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Metal Jesus & Kelsey Break Down The VirtualBoy and All Of It's Nintendo Fueled Greatness

Some people cite the short lifespan of Nintendo's recent Wii U as proof it's biggest failure Nintendo has ever had. As popular as that meme is right now the shortest lifespan of a Nintendo console was a year and it was for the VirtualBoy. The VirtualBoy is a Nintendo console that was launched in 1995 with VR that only allowed games two use colors in red and black. The tech was pretty cool and I remember being impressed with it playing it in the stores but none of the games seemed so great I just had to have one and then it was off the market. The VirtualBoy is the perfect system for collectors as it can live on and be a unique footnote in gaming history.

Nintendo Switch & Breath of the Wild Are Out And The Game Kart Tastes Terrible?

The Nintendo Switch & Zelda Breath of the Wild are now safely launched and not only does the Switch seem to be getting good reviews but it seems Breath of The Wild might be one of the best games of all time... already? Breath of the Wild is only few days old but is already getting crazy high reviews like a 98% Metacritic, 10/10 IGN, 10/10 Trusted Reviews, 10/10 Polygon and the like seem to be implying this latest Zelda game might be the pinnacle of the series. Even after the hype train and recent launch to crazy acclaim my plan for picking up a Switch by years end i'm sticking with. I have yet to finish up Ocarina 3D and after that I want to play Link Between... Read All

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/05/2017 at 01:48am

I ate some food after touching a cart and my finger had a bitter taste.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/05/2017 at 04:44am

I finally got the paraglider! It only took me around 5 hours. :)

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/05/2017 at 04:52am

BTW, don't hold anything on fire near exploding barrels. Ouch.

AdamPFarnsworth wrote on 03/05/2017 at 05:39pm

I just got my Wii U version this morning! I'll make sure to lick the disk before playing.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/05/2017 at 05:52pm

I hear the wii u version tastes like butterscotch.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/05/2017 at 11:29pm

I demand a full taste review!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:29am

I won't be licking my disc, LOL. While playing, Vinny was watching videos about the Switch and the new Zelda game. He kept telling me things he's learned about it, keeping spoilers away. What I heard in those videos confirms what Jon said about extremely positive reviews. This one person said it's probably the best Zelda game EVER and incorporates the other games more than any other.

I'm looking forward to playing it, but I'm pre-occupied. I'll get to it eventually, maybe this summer.

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/06/2017 at 01:10pm

It's the actual plastic casing, not the label, that tastes bitter. And it does taste nasty!

Travis Admin wrote on 03/06/2017 at 01:53pm

Scrypt-- I've heard plenty of people saying the casing is bad but the label is the worst. Boogie had his in his mouth for a few seconds before flipping it to the label side and then started acting like he might die. Interesting. I don't have one to taste myself :D

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:06pm

Challenge accepted...

scrypt Supporter wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:11pm

So gross! I don't know, I can't really tell the difference. If I start with one side, the other just compounds the bitterness. Maybe the paper texture of the label side transfers the taste more rapidly? Jon, you need to put one in Finn's mouth and see what he thinks...

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:37pm

I bet if I did that Francesca would punch me. That said, I'm glad it has it so if he tries it he will spit it out.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:39pm

Some interesting articles I read this morning:

Looks like the Switch controllers are normal Bluetooth devices https://www.google.com/amp/s/techcrunch.com/2017/03/06/nintendo-switch-joy-con-and-pro-controllers-work-on-pc-mac-and-android/amp/

GameStop said the Switch was one of the strongest console launches in years. I wonder how that translates to sales?

https://gamerant.com/nintendo-switch-gamestop-launch-comparison/

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/06/2017 at 04:44pm

Today I found a boomerang. I threw said boomerang, and I did not know how to catch it. It flew over my head and I lost it. :(

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/06/2017 at 04:47pm

SO I GUESS YOU COULD SAY HOW TO USE IT FLEW RIGHT OVER YOUR HEAD?

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/06/2017 at 05:52pm

Yes.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/06/2017 at 06:05pm

Amiibos are cool in this game. They give you a ton of useful items on a daily basis.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/09/2017 at 04:07am

https://i.imgur.com/bZ5weFE.gifv

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/09/2017 at 05:08am

That's cool

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/12/2017 at 07:57pm

In Zelda I am collecting 10 crickets so a guy can romance some girl.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/12/2017 at 10:06pm

How many crickets have you found so far?

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/12/2017 at 11:55pm

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/13/2017 at 06:45am

I found two videos I thought I'd share from GameSpot: "9 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Zelda: Breath of the Wild" (https://youtu.be/SaxP1MLBbPE) and "9 More Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Zelda: Breath of the Wild" (https://youtu.be/v5p0ELwY5Sk).

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/13/2017 at 09:42pm

10 crickets! The dude went from a guy hanging out with a donkey to a pimp with those 10 crickets.

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/14/2017 at 03:14am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EvbqxBUG_c

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/14/2017 at 05:05am

That was awesome!

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/14/2017 at 06:38pm

I am 15 hours into BotW and I feel like I have barely started the game. The time has gone by fast too!

Travis Admin wrote on 03/14/2017 at 07:40pm

Is that good or bad for you? Based on your tone I'm guessing good. Some people would find it daunting, some would want to spend 700 hours in it. I love long games as long as the depth is there.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/14/2017 at 08:46pm

Good for me!

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 03/19/2017 at 05:49am

GameSpot's "Even More Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Zelda: Breath of the Wild" https://youtu.be/7p6DMevgbyw

jdodson Admin Post Author wrote on 03/20/2017 at 04:32am

Breath of the Wild on SNES - https://i.redd.it/93dtafk5gemy.gif

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/22/2017 at 03:29pm

25 hours in and I am still having fun, and I still don't know where to go. :) I think I may have found an easier path this morning. Every path I have taken before has kicked my ass.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/22/2017 at 11:10pm

Nope, I was wrong. Time to search for another path. :)

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 03/22/2017 at 11:16pm

I am enjoying the discovery process. Even though I have not progressed much in the story line, I have been clearing shrines and opening up the map.

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Stardew Valley Celebrates It's First Year Anniversary

http://stardewvalley.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/1_y_a.png

Back in 2013 I wrote about a game in early development called Stardew Valley. It was a one man project that looked like the PC Harvest Moon game we always wanted and we followed it over the years until its launch in 2016. We were so excited about the game that WhiteboySlim, Scrypt and I interviewed the developer of the game, something you should check out below.

http://cheerfulghost.com/jdodson/posts/1005/interview-w-eric-barone-creator-of-stardew-valley

Recently Stardew Valley celebrated it's one year anniversary and developer ConcernedApe wrote about that and the games long journey to launch. It's a really interesting read and something I recommend you check out.

"... Read All

Journey to Un'Goro Is The All New Hearthstone Expansion To Launch In April

I am woefully late to the reporting party to let you know that the upcoming Hearthstone expansion Journey to Un'Goro has been announced and will launch in April. The announcement video by Ben Brode is well worth watching even if you're not a Hearthstone super fan. Un'Gogo will feature a couple awesome things including Dinosaurs, the new Elemental type and card quests. Card Quests cost one mana and will always show up in your opening hand and if you complete them will award you a crazy legendary like the Priest legendary Amara that's an 8/8 for 5 that sets your players health to 40! Blizzard will start the trickle of new card reveals on March 15th and continue the pace... Read All

System Shock Remastered is Looking Good After a Switch to Unreal Engine 4

The folks at NightDive Studios have released a new pre-alpha trailer of their System Shock remake, and it looks beautiful! Successfully Kickstarted last year, the game is a full re-creation of the 1994 cult classic in a modern engine. They had previously decided to use the Unity engine but after wanting a little more out of what the engine could give them, they switched to Unreal.

I appreciate the way they went about it. They switched engines back in October but didn't say anything about it until they had something to show for it. An engine switch is a big prospect-- best to announce it when you can show that you're up to the task!

See the info about it on their... Read All

More Fun with Borderlands 2

http://cdn.edgecast.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/49520/header.jpg?t=1485219026

Azurephile gives this a solid "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

Azurephile gives this a "Rad" on the Ghost Scale

This is fun, with very few issues, and is well worth your time.

Review

Recommended

Visual upgrade over first game

Large variety of weapons

Recurring characters

I thought the first Borderlands game was ok, not bad. It had it’s fun and challenges, which in some cases were polar opposites. I left two missions behind for another time, Moxxi’s DLC and Crawmerax. I had fun running over enemies. I chose to play as Roland, the Soldier and went with a Commando Class Mod. So, when I got to Borderlands 2, I decided to chose Axton, the Commando with a similar ability. In the first game, I stuck mostly with a good shotgun and sniper rifle. I liked using the grenades that heal me.

I had a friend that told me he was playing BL2 on his Xbox and... Read All Review

Recommended

Visual upgrade over first game

Large variety of weapons

Recurring characters

I thought the first Borderlands game was ok, not bad. It had it’s fun and challenges, which in some cases were polar opposites. I left two missions behind for another time, Moxxi’s DLC and Crawmerax. I had fun running over enemies. I chose to play as Roland, the Soldier and went with a Commando Class Mod. So, when I got to Borderlands 2, I decided to chose Axton, the Commando with a similar ability. In the first game, I stuck mostly with a good shotgun and sniper rifle. I liked using the grenades that heal me.

I had a friend that told me he was playing BL2 on his Xbox and liked it. I also noticed many of my Cheerful Ghost friends playing it as well, including an event I didn’t participate in. I tried it out during a free weekend on Steam and started as Zero. I didn’t play long, I was probably occupied with another game at the time. I decided to get the bundle on Steam during a recent sale.

I’m not sure if my friends played the first game before the second, but I think it makes BL2 much more enjoyable. Right away I noticed the visual upgrade within BL2, but there are other changes, additions, and improvements. The AI seems to behave much more intelligently. The RPG element seems to be deeper. You can run over enemies, but it doesn’t do as much damage as it did in the first game.

I haven’t explored the DLC yet (I’m only 31 hours into the main game), but I’ve already unlocked things and I’ve found numerous skins. It’s pretty cool, I am enjoying it. I obtained a good shotgun that does explosive damage, but I’ve later migrated to pistols with fire or corrosive damage. Now, I’m back with another good shotgun that does fire damage, which is against “flesh” and a sweet pistol that does corrosive damage, which is great against robots. There seems to be a larger variety of weapons in this game, they have new features, they look cool. It’s nice to see returning characters, like Roland, Moxxi, Marcus, Scooter, etc.

I found a relic, which I think I’ve had since creating my character, which increases the chance for rare loot from enemies, so that’s the one I’ve been using. I have a few others I like, too, but haven’t used. As for class mods, I’ve been going with the Point Man, which increases health regeneration.

If you’ve played this game, feel free to let me know about your gameplay(s). What characters, class mods, relics, guns, etc. did you use? Feel free to share whatever you like below in the comments.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/03/2017 at 08:22pm

I finished the game and now I'm exploring the DLC, beginning with the Oasis. BL2 is, to me, a sequel done right.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/03/2017 at 09:10pm

I agree. The only negative I have is the story gets a bit old after a few playthroughs but it's a solid game and holds up incredibly well for replays.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/04/2017 at 01:11am

I died a lot in the beginning, it reminded me of starting out with the first game. But, I've found BL2 to be much more fun and entertaining. I still get amazed by how it looks and behaves.

I really haven't messed with class mods and relics much. I use the relic that increases the chance of rare loot from enemies by 5%. It may not be significant and I'd probably be better off with the max health bonus relic I have been carrying. I'm using the Pointman class mod, which increases health regen and max health.

I have a variety of weapons, I pretty much use a fire shotgun on nearly everything. Yesterday, the game told me that if enemies have a yellow bar of health then to shoot with with corrosive weapons, so I have a weird SMG I use for that. There's a pistol from Moxxi I don't need anymore, should find a place to stash it, I don't want to sell it.

So far, I've only run into one boss that has a skeleton by it's name, which opens up after you defeat the game and get the mission from Tannis, I think. I may come back to that mission later. I'm almost level 40 and I've recently been getting rich from killing Cave Crystalisks in the Oasis area.

Oh and the skit/vehicle you get in the Oasis is the best! I usually use the Light vehicle with rockets.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:09am

> Oh and the skit/vehicle you get in the Oasis is the best! I usually use the Light vehicle with rockets.

The light vehicle is good, I really like the truck with rockets. I wanted to see more vehicles in BL2 but the ones we got were pretty good. Hopefully Bl3 includes a few kinds and maybe a flying vehicle.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/06/2017 at 03:26am

It wasn't called a "skit" I was incorrect, but I really enjoyed it. The one in the swamp (Hunter DLC) is cool, too, because it can use fire, corrosive, or shock. I went with shock.

The Badass Crater of Badassisittude was BADASS because I learned that, "NOTHING'S MORE BADASS THAN TREATING A WOMAN WITH RESPECT!!!" Ah, these characters are cool. Now I'm working on Tiny Tina's DLC.

I saw something of BL3 and an Unreal Engine test, but I didn't look at it or into it....yet. I'm cool with more BL though.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/07/2017 at 09:48pm

I'm missing the BL2 Headhunters missions. I may look into buying them later. There's still some other things to do in BL2, but I'm done. I don't feel like taking on extremely hard bosses or continuing to go through "rounds" or repeating certain missions at a higher difficulty level. It's time to move on to the Pre-Sequel!

Overall, I've enjoyed BL2 and I think playing the first game helped me enjoy this one much more.

If there's another BL Cheerful Ghost event, I am ready for it (except for the Pre-Sequel). Some missions or bosses pretty much require four people. I can wait, though. I may replay these two games sometime with another character, but it's now time to move on.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/08/2017 at 02:18am

So you beat the base game and what DLC exactally? Awesome you did it that quick!

I still have yet to finish up BL2 but I'm in the last area doing a mission to save Jacks Grandmother?

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/08/2017 at 02:24am

Pretty much all of it, yes. I also forgot that I have $40 in my Steam wallet, so I can actually get those Head hunter packs without spending any more money.

I don't recall Jack's grandmother, but his body double is the character I've chosen for the Pre-Sequel.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/08/2017 at 04:15am

> I don't recall Jack's grandmother, but his body double is the character I've chosen for the Pre-Sequel.

I still haven't played the Pre-Sequel but when I do(I picked it up in some bundle) I'd play as Jack. I've heard good things about it and moon stomping or something like it.

Travis Admin wrote on 03/08/2017 at 04:19am

Moon stomping is fun as hell.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 03/08/2017 at 04:57am

I played as Roland and Axton and I wasn't sure which character best suited me for the PS. I could have chosen to play as Clap-trap! I don't really like the ability/skill tree for Jack's body double, but I'll work through it and figure out what to get as I go.

I haven't done any moon stomping, other than when having to jump on that first jump pad.

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Take a walk in the past with the first Terraria trailer!

If you've been around here for a while, you know we can't stop talking about Terraria. I think most of us got into it with 1.1, when hardmode was added. This trailer is from around the original release in 2011, so it was before our time in it.

Back then, molten armor was the strongest, Skeletron was the last boss. Based on the trailer, the physics were different in many ways, flails worked a bit differently, and tons of sprites and blocks were different (look at those smooth doors and shiny dungeons).

We're coming up on *six years* since the game released, if you can believe that, and updates are still coming. Here's a brief look at the game's history, discounting minor... Read All

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 02/26/2017 at 07:00am

I'm so glad you created this post, after our discussion a few days ago! As I said, I've been checking every now and then on the status of Otherworld. We haven't had an update about it in about 8 months.

I didn't realize 1.3.5 until you told me about it in that discussion of ours. What has my mind cranking away though is why Redigit is coming back to work on this update. Does that mean Otherworld's development has progressed to the point where the lead developer can take off and work on Terraria's update? What about this update requires the work of Redigit. From what I read in the "upcoming features" section, it doesn't seem like a major update. Since Redigit is working on it, I think there may be something he's doing that they're not telling us yet.

Anyway, I can't wait for our next Terraria server! The memory of us playing 1.3 together is very strong, I think about it very often. We need to take on Expert Mode!

Oh and as for the game, I didn't know about it until you and Jon told me about it. You gave me a copy and I started out in 1.2, but I think 1.3 is my favorite update. Granted, I love what was added after I played it that first time, like fishing! It's exciting that the game is getting more attention and I'm eagerly awaiting the future of Terraria!

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/26/2017 at 08:50pm

I don't think Redigit is the lead on Otherworld, but I could be wrong. It's a joint venture between two different game studios so they probably have a ton of people on it. In more exciting speculation, it could be that the 1.3.5 update will have some tie to Otherworld! But I'm not holding my breath. And honestly, the lack of updates on Otherworld is a bit concerning. I think they announced it way too early. It's Starbound all over again, in some ways.

As for those upcoming features, that's just what's known so far. There hasn't been much discussion about it at all, and that feature list will flesh out. The big ones don't get spoiled until closer to release, and there hasn't even been a discussion on when that might be yet.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/01/2017 at 02:35pm

> It's Starbound all over again, in some ways.

Well, no. I see what you mean, but it's not really. For instance they haven't promised much but a new Terraria game with a story mode. They also backed off the release date entirely and didn't take massive pre-orders. For me, those are really big differences and so far I think they've done fine on messaging and handling the community.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/01/2017 at 06:33pm

Right, I agree. That's what I meant by "in some ways." I don't think they have done poorly messaging and handling the community, but not great either. There were very frequent updates until suddenly there weren't, and there hasn't been any news for months. The things you said mean I'm not disappointed, just a bit concerned with the big gap.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/01/2017 at 07:22pm

> just a bit concerned with the big gap.

Yeah, that makes sense. I still hope it launches at some point, it would be sad to see it go away.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/01/2017 at 07:50pm

I assume it will at some point sure, I do wonder how the dev cycle has gone. It may be that there's uncertainty and they don't know what will make it to the final cut so they don't want to say much, or there's just nothing new to show.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/10/2017 at 04:52am

So I finally watch the trailer and WOW the game has come a long way. I remember the 1.2 update and how massive that was and we created a new game to play the Crimson on. I think the Crimson area was my favorite until the...

https://media.giphy.com/media/dcubXtnbck0RG/giphy.gif

Update, which is the best update ever. 4K resolution will be welcomed as I have to have the game Windowed or it is a bit artifacty fullscreened on my monitor. It's amazing how they've kept the game updated so well over time and not let it be given to game rot and just made people get the sequel. Which i'll get the day it launches.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/10/2017 at 03:51pm

I KNEW that was going to be that gif. :D

I'm looking forward to the scaling, which is something Starbound has. Assuming I'm interpreting it right. In Starbound, at least last I played, you could have three zoom levels. On a smaller monitor the default would have been fine but on 1080p it seemed super zoomed in, and Terraria does a little as well. Plus it's nice to have a wider view when exploring and a tighter view when building.

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New Mass Effect: Andromeda teaser Shows Off the Characters | PC Requirements Released

This game keeps looking better. The end of next month can't come soon enough! I was a huge fan of the original trilogy and I'm stoked to get out into the new galaxy. The video above is the second in a series of Gameplay videos; this one shows off the character customization and it looks like a major extension to what we've had in the past.

A teaser at the end seems to indicate that the next video will be about planet exploration, one of my favorite and most frustrating parts about the series, so I'm hoping to see them really get it right with Andromeda.

The first one in the series is here, showing off weapons and skills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrWgLMH8yRU

In... Read All

jdodson Admin wrote on 02/26/2017 at 03:16am

No floppy drive?

So you will have to get Mass Effect on Origin right? What do you think about that?

That gameplay looks incredible! I haven't played a Mass Effect before though. I got 2 free on Origin but this series has been on my wall of shame for quite some time.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/26/2017 at 04:45am

I played Mass Effect 2 and 3 on Origin because the DLC was weird for 2 on Steam (I can't remember the details here), and 3 isn't even on Steam so Origin was the only option. So I'm not going into it for the first time, I've used it for other games.

As for what I think about it? I wish they still released their games on more platforms than their own, I tend to favor customer choice. But I totally get why they don't. Getting their games into their own system means they don't pay the Steam tax. But since I've used Origin a couple times in the past, I'm less upset. Honestly, it's a decent system. It lets me download and play games and I had no trouble doing so. I think they went from being a mess to being stable and dependable faster than Steam did, but they also got a chance to learn from Steam's mistakes.

So I guess I'm mostly neutral, but having everything under one umbrella would be more convenient.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 02/26/2017 at 07:03am

I've noticed the development of this game in the news stories I read every day. I haven't read anything about it, but I have at least one friend that's eagerly awaiting for it's release. As for me, I only own ME2 because it was free on Origin. However, I'm planning to change that, possibly soon. I'm planning on buying the ME trilogy (and possibly this new game). I'm hoping to catch a season sale on Origin, since the third game isn't even on Steam. I had a demo of ME and tried to play it, but it couldn't connect to the EA servers. I found out that the servers that the demo would normally connect to are no longer running.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/26/2017 at 08:52pm

> " I have at least one friend that's eagerly awaiting for it's release"

If that isn't me that you're talking about, then you have at least two friends eagerly awaiting its release :D

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 02/26/2017 at 11:44pm

Yeah that isn't you, not that you're not a friend. :) I should have stated one of my more local friends. He's another friend who's suggested I play the ME games.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/27/2017 at 03:04am

Haha, I know I was just joking. You really should. It's an RPG in space! :D

You played one of the Dragon Age games, right? It's the same developers, and same basic systems at a very simple level, but obviously... space!

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/27/2017 at 03:05am

Seriously, it edges right up against Bethesda games for my favorite series. It might be the top, but I can't decide that.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 02/27/2017 at 04:44am

Wow, that great!? It may have slipped my radar, like everything else. Then there's the whole, oh look another shooter game, but I did see it classified as an RPG. So a shooter-RPG, then I guess, right? "RPG in space does sound found." You know that it was FFVIII that got me hooked into RPGs, especially the Final Fantasy series. Later, I got into Pokemon, then the Elder Scrolls series.

I'm already playing a shooter-RPG, Borderlands 2. It's pretty cool though and I imagine ME probably is as well. I'll check it out.

I haven't finished DA:O. I have the Ultimate Edition on the PS3, but didn't play it much. Then, it came free with Origin w/out DLC. I recently bought the DA series, though. I got DA:O Ultimate Edition and DA2 on Steam. I got DA:I and all DLC on Origin. I'm planning to play those after Borderlands the Pre-Sequel.

Azurephile Super Member wrote on 02/27/2017 at 05:18am

Here's some news I found about the day 1 patch and file size: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/mass-effect-andromeda-will-have-day-one-patch-full/1100-6448213/

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 02/27/2017 at 02:29pm

Man, games keep getting bigger!

And yeah, it's a shooter-RPG but you have some "magic" abilities through the use of biotics. It's more shooter than the Fallout games (since VATS kinda negates the need for most FPS mechanics).

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/01/2017 at 02:39pm

> As for what I think about it? I wish they still released their games on more platforms than their own, I tend to favor customer choice. But I totally get why they don't. Getting their games into their own system means they don't pay the Steam tax. But since I've used Origin a couple times in the past, I'm less upset. Honestly, it's a decent system.

I agree, Origin is a really good system. I'd maybe even buy games on it but I don't know of any must play(for me) EA games. I've received quite a few free games from them though and don't mind going that route until something moves me to get it. Not sure what that would be but it's possible.

> It lets me download and play games and I had no trouble doing so. I think they went from being a mess to being stable and dependable faster than Steam did, but they also got a chance to learn from Steam's mistakes.

Launching a new digital PC game service now, in many ways, is easier than doing it back when Valve did. Plus Valve worked out lots of the kinks and paved the way so other companies can start now and many of the "right choices" are known so it's easier to begin and differentiate.

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/01/2017 at 06:50pm

Yeah, Valve was the brave plucky band of heroes that put in the work to make it viable. Remember how much people used to hate Steam? Now I can't imagine not having it. It's far from perfect but I depend on it now. I should probably diversify more, honestly, but I prefer having everything under one roof.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/03/2017 at 05:59pm

> Remember how much people used to hate Steam?

Yeah, I was a big hater for a while. With limited Internet Access the idea of Steam wasn't something I liked. When I had fast Internet and such, it was a much easier prospect.

I like having things in one place too, but I do like spreading things out as well. I like that I have DRM free games on GOG and Humble and then games on Steam too. The other stores are fine, I just wonder when we will reach "peak game store" mode and then stop getting more? Never?

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/04/2017 at 03:31am

Andromeda is now sitting in my Origin library, taunting me for 18 days.

jdodson Admin wrote on 03/04/2017 at 04:31pm

Does Origin allow pre-loading?

Travis Admin Post Author wrote on 03/05/2017 at 04:01am

Yep, pre-load is four days before launch. I love that pre-loading is a thing.

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